RecipeForWar

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imperialism

Domination by one country of the political, economic, or cultural life of another country

or region

economic rivalries

Many countries, especially Great

Britain, felt threatened by Germany’s growing

economy.

alliancesFear & distrust led to

complicated agreements between

various nations.

arms race

The Great Powers increase their armies

and navies in response to increasing international tensions.

nationalism

• Feeling of pride & devotion in one’s

country

• Can be good or bad

militarism

•Glorification of the military

•“Might makes right”

28 June 1914

Austria-Hungary

(1)

Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb assassinates

Archduke Franz Ferdinand of

Austria-Hungary.

6 July 1914

Germany

(2)

“Blank Check”

Germany offers total support to

Austria-Hungary

23 July 1914

Austria-Hungary

(3)

Gives Serbia an ultimatum

Purposely designed to be refused by Serbia, to create a pretext for war.

Hand over conspirators, allow investigation by

Austro-Hungarian officials, & cease all propaganda

directed against the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

24 July 1914

Serbia

(4)

Requests assistance from the Russian

Empire.

25 July 1914

Serbia

(5)

Agrees to most demands of Austro-

Hungarian ultimatum, except those limiting its

sovereignty.

26 July 1914

Russia

(6)

Promises help for Serbia if attacked

by Austria-Hungary.

28 July 1914

Austria-Hungary

(7)

Declares war on Serbia

Why did it take a full month?

31 July 1914

Russia

(8)

Mobilizes armed forces in support of Serbia by sending

troops to its borders with Germany and Austria-Hungary.

31 July 1914

Germany

(9)

Ultimatum to France

• Demands neutrality in a German war with Russia

• Germany gains control of border forts,

including Verdun

1 August 1914

Germany

(10)

Uses Russian mobilization as

excuse to mobilize and declare war on

Russia

2 August 1914

Germany

(11)

Demands Belgian neutrality & right of passage to invade

France

2 August 1914

Italy

(12)

Declares that it does not intend to honor its

Triple Alliance obligations and will

remain neutral.

3 August 1914

Belgium

(13)

Refusal of free passage for German

troops.

3 August 1914

Germany

(14)

Declares war on France.

4 August 1914

Germany

(15)

Invades Belgium as part of the Schlieffen

Plan.

4 August 1914

Great Britain

(16)

Declares war on Germany under

pretext of protecting Belgium neutrality.

5 August 1914

Austria-Hungary

(17)

Declares war on Russia.

10 August 1914

France

(18)

Declares war on Austria-Hungary.

12 August 1914

Great Britain

(19)

Declares war on Austria-Hungary.

14 August 1914

France

(20)

Invades German occupied Lorraine, hoping to redeem this “lost territory”.

The Schlieffen Plan

Designed to prevent a two-front war, against both France & Russia.

The Schlieffen Plan

• First developed in 1905.

• Defeat France in 6 weeks before Russian

mobilization.

• Problems?

Plan XVII

French prewar military plan for invasion of

Germany to recover the “lost provinces” of Alsace & Lorraine.

Demonstrate to Russia the good faith of France

as an ally through immediate offensive

operations.

Plan XVII

Battle of the Frontiers

• 14 Aug to 6 Sep 1914

• French invasion of Lorraine to the Battle of

the Marne

Marks the period where both the

Schlieffen Plan & Plan XVII were being

conducted.

Battle of the Marne

• 5-12 September 1914

• French counterattack on the outskirts of Paris.

• Halted the German advance and doomed the Schlieffen Plan.

• Start of “trench warfare”

Battle of the Marne

Race to The Sea

• Sept-Nov 1914

• Neither side trying to reach sea first.

Each failed attempt to flank the other’s forces

extended the trench lines further towards the English Channel.

Race to The Sea

Stalemate

• Neither side can advance.

• Parallel trench lines running from the English Channel to Switzerland.

“Cult of Offensive”

vs.

“Primacy of Defense.”

THE END

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